Palm skaters sharp in adult hockey series

The fall/winter season of the Panthers Adult Hockey League, featuring players from Palm Beach and Broward counties, recently came to a close with its traditional best-of-three championship series in each division at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs.

This match-up between the Suns and the Carpetbaggers not only went the three-game distance, but also needed an overtime session in the decisive showdown.

The Carpetbaggers trailed 2-1 after the first period but struck twice in the second period to grab a 3-2 lead. However, the Suns fought back in the third stanza and went ahead 4-3 on goals by Terry Zimmerman and Anthony Vento (his second of the game).

Nick Katsiyianis subsequently knotted the score for the Carpetbaggers, sending the game into overtime, where Jimmy Powers secured his second goal of the game and Boca Raton's Ryan McInerney held firm between the pipes to nail down the 5-4 win and the title for the Suns.

McInerney was named the division's Most Valuable Player.

The Suns advanced to the title series by eliminating Intermedix, 6-1, in the semifinals. Kenny Lazarus, of Boca Raton, led the way with a pair of goals, while McInerney was again clutch in the nets.

The Suns' roster also includes Loui Nalasco, of West Palm Beach.

B1 Division:

The Dangle Berries also needed three games to take the title over the Spitfires.

The Dangle Berries had to survive a cliffhanger in the opener, 4-3, as Ryan May paced the Berries' attack with two goals. Matt Redmond and Keyes each chipped in with a goal and combined for three assists, while Serra logged two assists.

Game No. 2 saw the Spitfires edge the Dangle Berries, 5-4, to even the series. The Dangle Berries' Redmond and Serra each recorded a goal and an assist, while Braboy also scored.

The Dangle Berries won the decisive game, 4-0, with goalie Andy Maslin securing the shutout.

Chiofalo and Serra were among the goal scorers.

The Dangle Berries advanced to the title series by upsetting the division-leading Strangers, 4-2. Serra powered the offense with two goals in that win.

B2 Division:

The Flames pulled off a clean sweep, erupting for 17 goals while allowing five in their series against Lefty's Tavern Grill.

In the opener, a 9-4 victory, the Flames were sparked by captain John Miller (two goals) and Kevin Moreau (two goals and an assist). Adam Nogowski and Mike White each added a goal and two assists, while Clarence Jasin and Dave Ross each contributed a goal and an assist. Ryan Boleen also scored.

Lefty's Tavern Grill was led by Boca Raton's Cody Stoner with two goals. Ron McElhone, of Boynton Beach, also scored, while Boca's Colby Durkin contributed two assists.

Another Boca Raton standout, Sam Saffer, played strong in goal to keep his team within reach.

In the rematch, an 8-1 win, Moreau came through with a hat trick, Rich Leonardis recorded two goals and an assist and White lit the lamp twice. Josh Nogowski provided a goal and two assists, and Ross picked up two assists. Louis Molina was clutch in the nets.

Lefty's lone goal was tallied by Delray Beach's Terry Cudmore, with McElhone on the assist. Lefty's roster also includes Donner Boroian, of Highland Beach.

C1 Division:

Shake N' Bake was involved in two tight encounters with Ye Olde Falcon Pub before sweeping the series with respective 4-2 and 5-3 outcomes.

The first game featured Shake N' Bake goals by Kurt Wilson, Josh Kierzek, Patrick Mullings and Eric Levine, with Mullings adding an assist.

A balanced scoring spree was also evident in the second game as Shake N' Bake's goals were evenly distributed among Andrew Wilson, Ray Maynez, Chris Ellis, Mullings and Levine.

Wellington's Simo Tervo was joined by Rod Haskell and Jorgen Einestedt in the scoring column for Ye Olde Falcon Pub.

C2 Division:

The Coral Springs Wings bested Adrenaline in consecutive games.

The Wings won the opener 3-1 on goals by Ken Schaefer (goal and an assist), Edward Dunne and Bo Lamon. Netminder Alan Freedman saw his shutout hopes dashed in the third period when Adrenaline's Eric Covitz, of Boca Raton, put his team on the board, assisted by Boca Raton's Jason Shoats.